Ptolemy VIII Physcon

Born around 184 BC, the younger son of Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I, he was made co-ruler with his older brother Ptolemy VI and sister Cleopatra II in 170 BC as war loomed. When Ptolemy VI was captured, Ptolemy VIII arguably became sole king, but the brothers kept fighting after the war ended in 168 BC. In 164 BC he drove his brother out entirely, only to be expelled himself the next year and given Cyrene as consolation by Rome. After Ptolemy VI died in 145 BC, he returned to Egypt, married his sister Cleopatra II, then added his niece Cleopatra III as co-regent and second wife — sparking a civil…